House Passes L&C Committee's HB 314

(Juneau) - The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 314, legislation setting maximum fees for medical treatment and services under the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act. The House Labor & Commerce Committee sponsored the bill.

This is the first step in fixing long-standing problems in the workers’ compensation process. We can’t afford to let the cap on these fees expire.~ Rep. Kurt Olson

HB 314 establishes a new fee schedule for medical treatment and services provided under the Workers’ Comp. Act. This would replace the current fee schedule set to expire on DEC. 31, 2010. Without HB 314, fees would go uncapped until a solution could be found.

“It will establish a more complete schedule which will include medical supplies, emergency transportation, and other medically-related services,” L&C Committee Chair Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, said. “This is the first step in fixing long-standing problems in the workers’ compensation process. We can’t afford to let the cap on these fees expire.”